IWC SIHH 2018 Anniversary Collection Overview

foversta · 2018-01-15T14:02:20Z

Explore IWC's SIHH 2018 anniversary collection, featuring new Portugieser, Portofino, Da Vinci, Pilot, and Tribute to Pallweber models. Discover first impressions and key details of these significant releases.

Foversta's live report from SIHH 2018 provides a comprehensive first look at IWC's anniversary collection, spanning five key pillars: Pallweber, Portugieser, Portofino, Da Vinci, and Pilot watches. This post captures the initial reactions and key details of IWC's significant new releases, offering valuable context for understanding the brand's direction at the time.

IWC introduced its anniversary collection based on 5 pillars: tribute to Pallweber - Portugieser - Portofino - Da Vinci - Pilot watches

Here are the pics I took during the conference of a selection of the novelties

Portofino Hand Wound Moon Phase

Portofino Chronograph

Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date

Da Vinci Automatic

Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar

Tribute to Pallweber

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar

Portugieser Constant Force Tourbillon

Portugieser Hand Wound 8 days

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon

Portugieser Chronograph

Key Points from the Discussion

The Portugieser Chronograph in blue, the Da Vinci with its unusual lugs, and the Pallweber in blue were highlighted as favorites, with the Pallweber being the overall standout.
A concern was raised about the limited edition numbering, with 'one out of 2000' feeling less special than individually numbered pieces, despite appreciation for the anniversary badge.
Questions arose about the dial changes for the Portugieser Chronograph, with speculation that IWC might have cut costs by using painted enamel dials, despite the new in-house chrono movement.
The prevalence of enamel dials or convincing facsimiles across many of the new IWC models was noted, indicating a strong aesthetic direction for the anniversary collection.
Despite some critical views, the collection was acknowledged for featuring IWC movements, particularly outside of the chronographs, signaling a move towards in-house calibers.

The Discussion

AnthonyTsai

Jan 15, 2018

Thanks for the live photo reporting Fx!!

Some of these IWC's looks great! - AT

Alkiro1

Jan 15, 2018

The Pallweber is definitely my favourite. A kind of UFO in the IWC collection and our current horological landscape. Could it be a “contender” to the Zeitwerk and Vagabondage? Impatient to see it in real

Best wishes Alkiro

VMM

Jan 15, 2018

Sorry.

I have nothing positive to say, so I'll keep my thoughts for me. Thanks for sharing. Vte

Arie - Mr Orange

Jan 15, 2018

That PC looks good

Liking that Pallweber too btw

ripper444

Jan 15, 2018

Looks good.

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in your opinion of the dial changes for the Portuguese chrono? Better worse or indifferent? I feel like IWC went one step forward and one step back in order to cut costs here using these painted enamel dials. The in house chrono movment is nice but dial I would have to see up close.

cazalea

Jan 15, 2018

Wow - they are staking their fortune on the white dial/blue hand look

How many of those are enamel dials? Looks like many of them are, or they've created a good facsimile. Cazalea